Codes&Regulations

Permanent Shading, Dynamic Glazing Addressed During IgCC Hearings

Efforts to remove permanent shading as a mandatory minimum requirement, as well as proposals that would encourage the use of dynamic glazing, were heard as part of the 2011 International Green Construction Code (IgCC) hearings, which took place in May in Dallas.

GEW 128, proposed by Jeff Inks, representing the Window and Door Manufacturers Association, and Garrett Stone of Brickfield Burchette Ritts & Stone, representing Cardinal Glass Industries, urged removal of the mandatory minimum requirement of permanent shading devices. Though the proposal was met with opposition, it ultimately was approved.

In the proposal, Inks said, “Permanent shading is not a prescriptive attribute that can be applied under a one-size-fits-all approach as proposed. There are too many factors that must be considered … Forcing it as a prescriptive requirement could easily result in the misapplication of it …”

Tom Culp, representing the Glazing Industry Code Committee, spoke in opposition. “Shading has been known for millennia as a good building practice, so why would we not want to support that?” he said.

GEW 129, proposed by Dr. Helen Sanders, SAGE Electrochromics Inc., would have allowed for the use of dynamic glazing as an exception to permanent shading devices, had they not been removed per GEW 128.
Still, many spoke out in support of dynamic glazing.

“This is an opportunity for the committee to create and drive a market for a product that’s got to be one of the greenest on the market,” said Thom Zaremba, who represented Pilkington North America.

USG
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